1961 - Norfolk Broads
From The Greenhillian, October 1962:-
Norfolk Broads, 1961
On April 1st nineteen intrepid travellers met at Piccadilly Station in order to go via luxurious British Railways to Norfolk Broads. Just after 9 a.m. we set off on the right lines, and after changing at Sheffield and Lincoln, we arrived at Oulton Broad North late in the afternoon.
Needless to say five minutes after leaving the train the dark heavens opened and it poured with rain. As transport to our houseboats was not forthcoming we took shelter in a boatyard. After some time a boat arrived and took us to our houseboats, the girls to a converted Motor Torpedo Boat named "Foynes" and the boys to a converted Motor Gun Boat named "Blue Lagoon".
Mr. Bickerstaffe, the "Wagon Master" on this holiday, with his wife, decided that we should all eat on board "Foynes" as it was better equipped for cooking. Therefore we all lived on "Foynes" except at night when all the boys had to row across to "Blue Lagoon". The next day being Sunday, some went to church in the morning. After dinner we took the two motor boats supplied with the house-boats. We reached a small place called St. Olave's. While returning, however, something happened which was to set the pattern for the whole week; the larger of the boats broke down and had to be towed. Several times during the week the same thing happened to one boat whenever we went any distance in the boats.
After a time we forsook the boats and enjoyed a trip to Norwich by rail, vising the "Castle Museum" there, although we spent more time in the coffee-bar. We also went on a similar trip to Great Yarmouth. Although most of the shops were not yet open for the holiday season there were several amusement arcades open ready to take our meagre fortunes from us.
On the last day we decided to chance our luck in the boats. We were a little apprehensive at doing this, for we had already been stranded in the middle of the Broads in pouring rain, having to wait for help to be brought by the smaller boat. On this occasion we were fortunate, for the boat broke down when we reached Beccles and we called for a mechanic who put the trouble right. Despite the appalling weather, and the rush to catch the train home, everyone enjoyed the week immensely, and we would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Bickerstaffe for organising it.
Edward Lees, 5 Sc.